Over 100 bottled water samples in Karnataka found unsafe for drinking

Bengaluru: At least 111 samples of bottled water collected by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) in February were found unsafe for consumption or of substandard quality.

These were out of 296 samples of water collected in February, announced state health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao during a press briefing on Tuesday. This includes one sample of Bailley, a Parle Agro brand, sourced from BBMP West zone.

"Only 72 samples were found to be safe; 88 samples were substandard, which means there were variations in mineral content and were not meeting standards. Ninety five samples were unsafe, which means they had chemicals they weren't supposed to have or pesticide residue," said state health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. Some of the samples were both substandard and unsafe.

He noted that most of those analysed were from local companies and added that legal samples are being drawn to take appropriate legal action against companies involved.

A total of 3,698 food samples were collected and analysed in February, and 3,204 samples were tested in March. This included 115 samples of green peas, of which 69 samples were found unsafe.

At least six of 49 samples of ghee that were tested were found to be safe, while three out of the nine khova samples analysed were found to be substandard. Out of 32 paneer samples analysed, from the 231 collected, two were found to be unsafe. Results of the other samples collected are awaited.

A similar pattern was observed among 198 sweet samples where 83 samples were analysed and two were found to be unsafe. Four out of 27 khara mixture samples analysed were found to be unsafe.

Analysis of 46 local juice and beverage samples, 39 ice candy samples, and 107 ice cream samples are awaited. The FDA issued notices to 92 production outlets, and six units were fined Rs 38,000 in total. Notices were also issued to 214 hotels and restaurants for non-compliance with pest control measures, and 11 establishments were fined Rs 1.15 lakh.

NSQ drug samples

Forty one of 1,891 drug samples drawn and analysed by the Food Safety and Drug Administration were declared 'not of standard quality' (NSQ) as of March.

The department has filed 10 cases in February and 18 cases in March against various manufacturers for violating the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940. In February, 2,078 medical shops were inspected, resulting in the suspension of 215 drug licences for various violations.

Out of 196 batches of Ringer Lactate IV solution, 113 samples have been found to be NSQ. Of this, 78 cases have been filed against Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals while cases are being filed for the rest against other manufacturers.

In a special drive, NSQ drugs worth Rs 24 lakh were recalled from the market over the past two months. The department is developing a software to display details of retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and agents to trace the stocks of NSQ drugs, Gundu Rao said.